Presidents XV edge Combined Services in thriller

Kingsholm is rapidly becoming a home from home for the rugby players of Britain's Armed Forces but a number of former Gloucester players rolled back the years as the Presidents XV defeated the Combined Services by 40 points to 33.

The Combined Services took on Samoa at the home of Gloucester Rugby twelve months ago while the Army have also hosted Georgia at the famous ground.

And Tuesday evening saw an absolute cracker of a game, with the lead changing hands several times between two teams who played the game in absolutely the right spirit.

The Combined Services had some real game breakers in their ranks. The likes of Josh Drauninui and Ifereimi Bolodua were a real handful throughout.

However, it was the Gloucester Presidents XV, featuring grizzled former Kingsholm heroes such as Chris Fortey and Rob Fidler who took the spoils with, appropriately, a player named Teague, Rory not Mike, pulling the strings expertly.

It went down to the wire as neither team could take a decisive lead and the crowd gave the participants a standing ovation on a night which raised funds for the Royal British Legion.

The Presidents XV were appropriately enough clad in Cherry and White hooped shirts and the likes of Chris Fortey and Rob Fidler looked to be well up for returning to the scene of former glories.

The Combined Services started by peppering Plymouth Albion full back James Love with some testing high kicks but the former Hartpury player missed a chance to show his attacking prowess when he knocked on after a mazy run from Rory Teague.

While the invitation team looked lively, it was the Services who struck first as Josh Drauninui weaved his way through after fielding a kick before linking with Ceri Cummings who put centre Dale Sleeman in for the score. Cummings converted the try.

The Presidents XV were on top up front though and it was the driving maul that got them back on terms as, at the third time of asking, they smashed the Services side back over their own line with flanker Chris McNeil awarded the score. Rory Teague converted.

Teague was certainly enjoying himself at fly half and another jinking run almost opened up the Services defence but the Presidents XV couldn't capitalise.

And, after a long spell of pressure, the Services struck from deep again as Malakai Magnus broke from deep and set up Ifereimi Bolodua for the second try. Cummings again converted for 14-7.

Moments later Drauninui inspired another long range break and finished off his own move as he took an offload near the line. Cummings converted for 21-7.

However, the Presidents XV bounced back and finished the half on a high as Jack Preece finished off a catch and drive to make the half time score 21-12 to the Services.

And Preece got his side even closer just two minutes into the second half when he finished off a move featuring a powerful break from number eight James Pettigrew. Teague converted from in front of the Shed to narrow the gap to 21-19.

And when Pettigrew sneeked over under the posts after a quick tap penalty, the Presidents XV well and truly had their tails up. Teague's conversion made it 26-21.

They held the lead going into the final quarter but, after a period of sustained pressure, prop David Manning broke a tackle near the line to score the Services fourth try. Cummings converted and edged his side back into the lead at 28-26.

It could have been a mortal blow for the Presidents XV but they hit straight back as Ryan Brend took advantage of a moment of fortune as his own mis kick ended up back in his arms and the winger sprinted over. Teague slotted another fine conversion for 33-28.

The lead lasted literally seconds! Ifereimi Bolodua caught the restart on the full, broke a couple of tackles and powered his way over to level the scores at 33 all.

There were five minutes left on the clock and everything to play for as Andy Deacon entered the fray to rapturous applause.

And his very presence seemed to inspire the Presidents XV to one last effort as Teague almost jinked clear. Louis Spencer was in support before the pack piled in and unknown hands touched down for the crucial try.

After a good start, and dominating for long periods at the Ricoh, skipper Tom Savage spoke after the Wasps defeat to GRTV about the small things that Gloucester have to work on as well as focussing on some of the positives.

Gloucester Rugby will take on Wasps on Sunday in their first ever visit in the Aviva Premiership to the Ricoh Arena. Speaking to the local media today, Director of Rugby David Humphreys previewed the game as well as giving an update on the injured Henry Trinder.

Following the 48-10 Aviva Premiership win over London Welsh on Saturday, Dan Murphy praised his team mates for battling right up to the very last minute in difficult conditions and maintaining the momentum that the team have built in 2015.

Henry Purdy scored two memorable tries against London Welsh at Kingsholm on Saturday, and attributed the first one to hard work on the training ground before describing how much he's enjoying playing his rugby alongside friends like Callum Braley.

Premiership Rugby today announces a new partnership with Singha Beer, which confirms the premium Thai lager as the new title sponsor of the Premiership Rugby 7s Series and an official partner of Premiership Rugby.